Wants & Desires | J.W. Hulme Company

Not as omnipresent as Filson bags but just as authentic, J.W. Hulme has been making high quality leather and canvas in Minnesota for over 100 years. The company is probably best known for selling its waspy wares to outdoorsy outfitter Orvis in the late 80s and 90s. Eventually, the relationship with Orvis came to an end, but J.W. Hulme continues to supply nice looking and well made goods in their unique style. It goes without saying that the goods don’t come cheap and that there are companies out there making similar products, but with J.W. Hulme you are paying for high end materials and fabrication. These bags require more of an investment up-front, but I have to think they will literally last a lifetime. If I were you I would start breaking one in now, your son will thank you.

Beware of saddleback–nothing special, pricing isn’t that great and NOT made in the U.S.A. Quite the ripoff–but they post everywhere.

Jacob D.on November 3, 2009@ 10:22 AM:

Not very tasteful stuff. That green color is not very appealing and the leather looks cheap. Apparently, less is not more as far as they are concerned

jfoxon November 3, 2009@ 10:44 AM:

Pops has a rolling bag from the Am. Heritage line, probably from the Orvis days. Built like a tank. A well oiled leathery tank…

Samon November 3, 2009@ 11:22 AM:

The duffles are great, but I think the pop open gladstone models are quite a bit cooler especially in the Heritage leather.

Miki Don November 3, 2009@ 11:33 AM:

J. W. Hulme Co. is a client of mine. I can assure Jacob that the leather is top of the line full-grain — not cheap. The American Heritage line was formally introduced last year — not “from the Orvis days.”

American pedigree be damned, these bags and accessories are ugly. They look like they should be sold in an in-flight magazine.

Michael Williamson November 3, 2009@ 11:39 AM:

Ned Ryerson?! Ned, Ned the head? Bing!

Kolbyon November 3, 2009@ 12:08 PM:

A canvas bag for a stadium blanket!?

jfoxon November 3, 2009@ 12:23 PM:

@Miki D. apologies… dad’s roller bag must be made by someone else then. it is solid enough to give “horsey rides” to 2 kids though and still navigate Logan. best j.

Stefano_Gon November 3, 2009@ 12:41 PM:

They used to also make fine items for Gokey’s including the legendary snake-proof boots. I believe they still use American, oil-tanned leathers. You won’t find a more durable leather anywhere. The sewing is impeccable.

their mens wallet is amazing. And that first duffel in sahara is where its at.

Richon November 3, 2009@ 2:26 PM:

their mens wallet is insane. And the first bag in sahara is where its at

Jay Sennetton November 3, 2009@ 4:12 PM:

I have the gladstone bag medium in green and the shell hand bag, also in green.

They are both phenomenal and look much better in person than in the pictures. The lifetime guarantee is what drew me to them as well as the great customer service.

I’ve received many compliments on them and recommend them every chance I get.

jacobbon November 3, 2009@ 10:13 PM:

@D

I own the Saddleback 15″ bag. There’s no way you can call it a rip-off. Pricing is on the high side if you buy from their site but the craftsmanship and ultra-thick leather cannot be beat. Made in a NAFTA country so that should satisfy you guys, eh?

HMTon November 4, 2009@ 5:22 AM:

“We asked our tannery to make distressed leather”, what a shame, that ruins the line. I really cannot understand the current trend of distressed “heritage line” products. Are we so impatient now that we can’t let time run its course? I cannot imagine that such heritage products will be in any condition to pass on to future generations like the original classics.

Lushon November 4, 2009@ 9:11 AM:

Another vote for Saddleback leather. I have one of their briefcases and a wallet and my wife has one of their messenger bags. We both love them and think they were well worth the price. I couldn’t care less if they were made in Mexico. They’re very well made and I’ll likely buy one for each of my daughters to put away for when they’re older (8 year old and a 7 month old).

“G” is certainly welcome to his/her comments though.

Classics Patrioton November 4, 2009@ 4:21 PM:

Supporting a NAFTA country is not the same as supporting your own. However, buying a Mexican-made product keeps Mexicans employed, which potentially reduces the number of Mexicans who become illegal aliens, so it’s not all bad.

I feel good about buying American. On the other hand, even if buying a Mexican product keeps a thousand Mexicans home, I just don’t get the same warm feeling.

When it comes down to it, I’d rather help my fellow countrymen, which helps my country, than export my money abroad.

I have an entire set of the Orvis line of this that was inherited from my uncle. I think he acquired it maybe 16-20 years ago. I new it was great stuff when it was given to me, but I wasn’t crazy about it. Now, I don’t think I take a trip anywhere with out using it. One of the brass rivets broke on the weather flap on the duffle, I took it back to Orvis and they shipped it (presumably to J. W. Hulme) and had it repaired. It has a life time warranty. But if you don’t like it, don’t buy it, buy a fucking Filson…

carlon November 11, 2009@ 11:10 AM:

These products are all great especially when they exude american ingenuity.

Tintinon November 11, 2009@ 9:19 PM:

I bought 5 pieces of Orvis ( tote, garment, duffel, back pack & brief case) in 1985. Probably older than most of you twats. The tote was replaced by the Ex because she didn’t like the Moo Shoo pork stain from an Old Town Alexandria Chinese restaurant (that’s when I decided she needed to be replaced) and the brief case was replaced when the original was stolen with a Think Pad at Laguardia in ’94. I love this stuff and yes, Ned, Orvis advertises in flight magazines…

If any of you had one ounce of creativity (which I have) and balls (which I don’t) you’d have this made up with alligator trim on distressed green canvas from Army tenting circa 1965 and stupid geezers like myself would buy it for more that we paid for that Gurhka shit in the ’80’s.

Justinon November 23, 2009@ 6:44 PM:

Looks like bags sold at Beretta…

Meganon December 4, 2009@ 6:46 PM:

I work as a freelance graphic designer for J.W. Hulme Co. and have personally visited their store in Saint Paul, Minnesota on numerous occasions. All of their products are made by hand right there in the back of the store. Last time I visited I was able to see a bag made from start to finish and speak with Martha, one of the seamstresses.

You can see Martha working on a leather bag and hear Chuck the chairman of the company talk about JWH’s history here